Crane



Sept. 17, 1968 E. A. LINK 3,401,804

CRANE Original Filed Oct. 23, 1965 2 sheets sheet 1 I8 23 FIG. I

INVENTOR. EDWIN A.LINK

;; ATTORNEY 5613i. 17, 1968 A- NK 3,401,804

CRANE Original Filed Oct. 25, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDWINA.LINK

30 v ATTORNEY United States Patent 0 3,401,804 CRANE Edwin A. Link,Binghamton, N.Y., assignor to Ocean Systems, Inc., a corporation of NewYork Continuation of application Ser. No. 504,265, Oct. 23, 1965. Thisapplication Sept. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 666,219 7 Claims. (Cl. 212-58)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improvement in a crane which isparticularly valuable for use aboard ships for controllably constrainingthe swaying of a load. The improvement consists of a gimballed loadadapter and controllable braking means for constraining the movement ofthe adapter, the load adapter including means for guiding a painter.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 504,265, filed Oct. 23,1965, now abandoned.

This invention relates to cranes, particularly cranes for use aboardsips attending divers and to an improvement on a crane for transferringa load to and from the water.

Weather has practically no effect on the environment of a diver workingon the ocean floor; but it presents major problems to any attendingships or craft trying to stay on station and to service the divers. Inthe nature of such work, various loads frequently are lifted from thewater to the deck of the tender and other loads are lowered into thewater from the deck of the tender.

According to the practice of the prior art, such loads are attached tothe end of a cable strung from tackle on the end of a derrick boom andliterally swung inboard or outboard. The swinging of loads on the end ofa cable can build up into destructive oscillations when the systemresonates with the motion of the tender. In the transfer of mannedvehicles, such as diving chambers and the like, it is important thatthis swinging be either eliminated or at least controlled to asubstantial degree by the crane operator.

It is an object of this invention to provide positive control of theoscillation of a load while retaining the basic flexibility of thecable-hoisting system.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a removableattachment for a crane by which positive control and snubbin g of loadsmay be effected.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an attachmentwith which an hydraulic crane can reach into the water for a load inspite of adverse weather conditions.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

A feature of the invention is a jib or arm hinged at its upper end tothe crane boom and having a load adaptor connected to its lower end.

Another feature of the invention is an hydraulically tensioned painterand pulleys for guiding it to the center of the tip of the jib whereby aload may be drawn to the tip of the jib, and quickly and reliably fixedthereto.

A still further feature of the invention is a gimbaled load adapterincluding means for guiding a painter, and having controllable brakes oneach of two axes to damp and control motion of the load.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanyin g drawing, in which:

3,401,804 Patented Sept. 17, 1968 FIG. 1 is a sketch showing a tenderlifting a load with a crane modified in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the means of attachment to the load,

FIGS. 3a and 3b are enlarged views of the proximal and distal endsrespectively of the jib shown in FIG. 1 showing details of embodimentsof the invention, FIG- URE 3b showing a cut-away isometric view of thegimbal of the invention, the same including the load adapter andcontrollable braking means of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a sketch showing an alternative attachment for the apparatusof FIG. 3b.

According to the invention, an improvement is provided in a crane of thetype comprising a boom and means for elevating the boom, the improvementcomprising (a) a jib pivotally connected to the boom; (b) meansconnected to the jib for pivotally raising and lowering same withrespect to the boom; (c) a gimbal connected to the jib, the same havingmounted thereon .a load adapter including means for guiding a painter,and (d) controllable braking means for constraining the movement of theload adapter with respect to the jib. Preferably, the gimbal also hascontrollable braking means associated with it for constraining itsmovement with respect to the jib. Preferably, the load adapter forms apart of a two-axis gimbal while the controllable braking means comprisesseparately controllable brakes on each of said axes. Preferably, ahydraulically-actuated tackle is mounted upon the jib as a tensioningand fast reeving mean for the painter.

Referring to FIG. 1, a tender 10 equipped with a crane 11 is shownlifting a load 12 using the invention. The crane is a common type ofhydraulic crane. The crane body 13 carries a diesel prime mover 14, anoperator station 15, hydraulic pumps, and power drives to train thecrane body, elevate the boom 16 with a ram 17, extend and retract thestinger 18, and operate winches and other apparatus. The boom 16 ishinged to the body and elevates about an elevation axis which isperpendicular to the train axis and to the elevation plane whichcontains both the train axis and the boom axis. The stinger 18 of theboom 16 telescopes along the boom axis into the boom 16 and extendsunder the control of a second hydraulic ram, not shown. The crane ismodified according to the invention by jib 20 which is shown also inpartial detail in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The jib is hinged at its proximal(upper as shown) end to the boom 16 and is pivoted by a pair of struts21, 22 hinged to both the jib 20 and to the end 23 of the stinger 18,comprising a means for raising and lowering same with respect to thejib. The tackle 24 which is attached to the end 23 of the stinger 13 andthe cable 26 which extends from it to a winch, not shown, remainavailable for use and are not modified in the invention when using acrane of the telescoping stinger type.

Pulleys 27, 28, 29 turning in the jib 20 guide a painter 30, whichpasses through the jib 20. The jib is of welded box beam construction.An hydraulic tackle actuator 31 is fastened to the inboard side of thejib and carries five pulleys, two 32 and 33 are movable with the ram 34and 35, 36 and 37 journalled to the cylinder 38. The painter is threadedover these pulleys, with one end attached to the ram 34 whereby anextension of the ram by two feet take up 10 feet of slack in the line.This provides an exceptionally fast reeving means for the painter. Theother end of the painter passes through the load adapter 39 which is apart of the gimbal 53, into the mating lifting fitting 41 of a spreader42 having shackles 43 which may be fixed to the lifting eyes 44 of theload 12. The fitting 41 has a guide pin 45 which fits into the adapter39 and a flared base 46. The pin and base are both slotted, the fo'fmerto pass the painter 30, the latter to pass the hook 47. The hook engagesa bar 48 which is tack-welded to the bottom of spreader plate 42 tobridge the central hole 49.

Each shackle is illustrated as comprising an eyebolt 50 by which it isattached to the spreader, a turnbuckle 51, and a device 52 by which itattaches to a lifting e e 44.

To lift a load the painter is first attached and pulled in, to positionthe load directly below the adapter 39. Action of the hydraulic tackleactuator 31 holds even tension in the painter 30 notwithstanding waveaction moving both crane and load. Keeping tension on the cable, the jibis lowered, and the load lifted until the spreader 42 mates with theadapter 39 whereupon the load may be lifted with the normal flexibilityof the painter replaced by the controllable flexibility of the gimbaleddamper, controll-ably braked load adapter as shown in FIG. 3b and ashereinafter described.

The gimbal 53 is, as shown in FIG. 3b, attached to the distal end of thejib 20 by mounting plates 54, 55. The plates stiffen the end of the jiband support axles for the guide pulleys 27, 29. On each mounting plateis carried a bushing, not shown, in which turns a shaft 56 fastened tothe extension 58 of the gimbal 53. Also carried on the mounting plates54, 55 on spacers 62 are brakes 64, 65. The brake-shoe mechanism 66 isfastened to the shaft 56.

Passing through the center of gimbal 53 is the load adapter 39, whichhas a tube portion 67 comprising means for guiding a painter 30. Thetube portion 67 has an axial bore sufficient to accommodate the painter30 and guide pin 45. A flare attachment 68 is screwed onto the lower endof the tube 67 to protect the painter 30, guide the insertion of the pin45, and to provide a broader base for mating with the spreader. Theother end of the tube 67 is fastened to shaft 72 forming T-shaped loadadapter 39 journaled in bushings 73 in the gimbal 53. At each end of theshaft 72 is a brake assembly 74, 75 the drum portion of which isfastened to the gimbal 53. The adapter 39, so constrained, pivots aboutan axis, the direction of which is at right angles to the direction ofthe axis of rotation of the gimbal 53 on the shaft 56, also at rightangles to the direction of the elevation axis of the crane, andordinarily also substantially perpendicular to the train axis of thecrane. The brake assemblies 64, 65 and 74, "75 comprise a controllablebraking means for constraining the movement of the load adapter 39 withrespect to the jib 20.

Brake assemblies which have been found to be suitable for the inventionare Hayes type aircraft brakes obtainable from the Goodrich Rubber Co.,Part No. G2-l22. As shown in the sectioned brake 75, the actuatingmechanism is retained between two disked steel plates 80, 82 and thebrake drum 84. The plates 80, 82 are fastened together and to the axleby a flange 86. A peripheral chain of brake blocks 88 is pressed out byan expansible neoprene hydraulic tube 90, and returned by leaf springs(not shown) slotted into the plates 80, 82.

The drums are designed to be fastened at ears 92 to a wheel. Adapterrings 94 receive the fastenings intended for a wheel, and also providefor connection to the gimbal 53 and mounting plates 54, 55, as the casemay be, substantially as shown. The brakes on the two axes areindependently controllable by the crane operator, and independentlyconnected to hydraulic lines by the flexible hoses 95 and 96.

FIG. 4 represents an alternative flare attachment 97 for the adapter 39.Equipped with stiff tripod legs 98 with rubber feet 99, it gives abroader base of contact with a load/Two embodiments of the adapter 39are disclosed and have been described above. Other arrangements will beapparent to persons skilled in the art. The flare attachment 68conveniently mates with a lifting dome forming a sort of ball and socketconnection between the load and the flare attachment. Alternatively, theflare attachment may terminate with a cylindrical portion mating into acylindrical recess in the load or vice versa. The combination of flaredattachment and lifting fitting as shown in FIG. 2 provides essentially athird (vertical) gimbal axis. While the lifting dome is captive in theflare attachment, friction between the dome and flare is controlled bythe tension in the painter. Reducing tension in the painter permitsrotation of the load about a vertical axis as desired.

In operation, the load is snubbed tight in mating connection with theload adapter 39 by pull on the painter 30, and the lift is commencedwith the brakes 64, 65 and 74, released. Since the gimbal 53 permits theload adapter 39 and load 12 to turn in any direction, the load adapter39 will align so that there is no bending force exerted on the load. Theload is free to hang with its center of gravity directly below thecenter of the shaft 72. As the waves rock the tender 10 and as the crane11 moves the load, oscillations may tend to build up. The crane operatorby gently applying the brakes in proper relation to any swing built up,can damp the swing without applying damaging forces to the load.

It will be noted that he has independent control over side to side andback and forth swinging. Thus the invention may be used to steady aload.

It may also be used to position a load. If it is desired to position aload in a particular orientation, such as parallel to the deck, and itscenter of gravity normally causes it to tilt, the desired orientationmay be achieved by swinging the load to the desired position, first onone axis, then on the next and catching it with the brakes at the properangle on each. For positioning, particularly, independent control of thetwo axes is a practical necessity.

In particular, it will thus be seen that the objects set forth above,among those made apparent from the preceding description, areefliciently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the aboveconstruction without departing from the scope of the invention, it isintended that all matter contained or shown in the accompanying drawingshall be interpreted as, illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

While the invention has been illustrated as an attachment to aparticular type of hydraulic crane, specifically a Bucyrus-Erie model H5having a telescoping stinger, it will be apparent that with appropriatemodifications, it may be applied to an hydraulic back-hoe, to otherhydraulic cranes and to other cranes.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. In a crane of the type comprising a boom and a telescoping stinger,means for training and elevating said boom, and means for extending saidstinger, the improvement comprising, a jib having a proximal and adistal end, said proximal end being hinged to said boom to pivot in theelevation plane of said boom, a member connected to said jib at a pointintermediate its proximal and distal ends and to said stinger, theconnecting points for said member being so selected that extension andretraction of said stinger effectively controls the pivoting of saidjib, a gimbal pivotally connected to said distal end so as to pivot on afirst axis perpendicular to said elevation plane, a load adapterpivotally connected to said gimbal to pivot about a second axisperpendicular to said first axis and normally horizontal, said adapterhaving cable clearance to guide a painter passing therethrough, anddiverging at its distal end to provide a broad mating base of contactfor a load, hydraulically actuated tackle fastened to said boom' andconnected to take up slack in said painter and apply tension thereto,controllable brake means to constrain the pivoting of said gimbal onsaid first axis, and controllable brake means for constraining thepivoting of said adapter on said second axis.

2. In a crane having a boom and means for elevating the boom, theimprovement comprising:

(a) a jib pivotally connected to the boom;

(b) means connected to the jib for pivotally raising and lowering samewith respect to the boom;

(c) a gimbal connected to the jib;

(d) a load adapter mounted upon said gimbal, said load adapter includingmeans for guiding a painter, and

(e) controllable braking means for constraining the movement of saidload adapter with respect to said jib.

3. The improvement in a crane as defined in claim 2 wherein the gimbalis a two-axis gimbal and wherein said controllable braking means areseparately controllable on each of the axes.

4. The improvement in a crane as defined in claim 2, further including ahydraulically-actuated tackle and associated ram mounted upon said jiband connected to the painter as a tensioning and fast reeving means.

5. The improvement in a crane as defined in claim 2 wherein said meansspecified in (0) comprises a telescoping stinger and at least one struthinged to said jib and to said stinger, whereby extension and retractionof said stinger produces a pivoting of said jib to raise and lower samewith respect to the boom.

6. In a crane having a boom and means for elevating the boom, theimprovements comprising: 7

(a) a jib having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end beingpivotally attached to the boom;

(b) means connected to the jib for pivotally raising and lowering thedistal end thereof with respect to the boom;

(c) a gimbaled load adapter connected to the distal end of said jib,said load adapter including means for guiding a painter, and

(d) controllable braking means for constraining the movement of saidload adapter with respect to said jib.

7. In a crane having a boom and means for elevating 15 the boom, theimprovement comprising a gimbaled load adapter, said load adapterincluding means for guiding a painter, and controllable braking meansfor constraining the movement of said load adapter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,187,439 1/1940 Woodeson et al.212-3 3,121,583 2/1964 Damm 29483 3,301,587 1/ 1967' Heikkinen 29467ROBERT G. SHERIDAN, Primary Examiner.

Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interference No. 96,837involving Patent No. 3,401,804, E. A. Link, CRANE, final judgmentadverse to the patentee was rendered May 12, 1971, as to claims 2, 3, 6and 7.

[Ofioial Gazette May 21, 1974.]

